Chu Chen did not stop her.

"Very well. Do not get too close," Chu Chen reminded Ma Xiuyue. "Test it from a distance. Attack from different directions so I can observe the reaction of the forbidden array."

Ma Xiuyue nodded. Taking small but bold steps, she carelessly strode forward.

Since joining this small group, she hadn't made any real contributions. With such an opportunity presenting itself, she wanted to take the lead.

This was also a test for herself. Ma Xiuyue was bold, but she was not without caution.

As she advanced, her gaze continuously swept across her surroundings.

She walked all the way until she was nearly at the cave entrance, yet the forbidden array showed no reaction whatsoever. This result took her by surprise.

Ma Xiuyue glanced back at Chu Chen, her eyes silently asking: Are you kidding me?

"Go forward with confidence. Do not be afraid," Chu Chen said, seemingly aware of her inner doubts.

Hearing his assurance, Ma Xiuyue steadied her footing and continued forward.

She drew closer and closer to the cave entrance, leaving only a dozen Zhang between them.

"Good, stop right there." Chu Chen's voice rang out.

Ma Xiuyue immediately halted, casting quick glances back toward Chu Chen.

She waited for his command.

Though she had acted carefree earlier, genuine fear now gripped her heart.

After all, Chu Chen had explicitly stated that the power of this forbidden array was terrifying-to the point where even a Saint King Realm expert might not possess such might.

The closer she got to the cave, the more her courage faltered. She anxiously awaited his next instruction.

"Unleash your power and strike the cave entrance," Chu Chen directed. "Let us see if the forbidden array reacts."

Ma Xiuyue nodded, her hand sweeping forward in a sudden strike.

A loud boom echoed, yet the cave entrance remained utterly still. Ma Xiuyue began to doubt if there was even a forbidden array here at all. Had Chu Chen misjudged?

Feng Qing'er harbored the same suspicion.

Right as their doubts peaked, a sudden hum vibrated through the air.

A forbidden array abruptly rose from the ground. Powerful waves of light pulsed within it as profound, mysterious spiritual patterns danced across its surface.

Swoosh! A single spiritual pattern condensed into a long arrow, shooting directly toward Ma Xiuyue.

Seeing this, Ma Xiuyue frantically threw herself backward in retreat.

Despite her swift reaction, the arrow formed by the spiritual pattern was blindingly fast and covered a massive area.

A mere fraction of its power still clipped her.

Even that tiny fraction of power possessed enough force to send Ma Xiuyue flying dozens of Zhang away.

Ma Xiuyue forcefully stabilized her footing, staring at the forbidden array with lingering terror. Now, she finally understood its true, horrifying power.

She wiped the cold sweat from her forehead, her tension palpable.

The sheer might of the forbidden array had nearly claimed her life just now. Had her reaction been a heartbeat slower, she would have perished.

"What kind of forbidden array is this, to carry such immense Pressure?" Ma Xiuyue asked in disbelief.

"This should be a scaled-down version of the legendary Eight-Star Immortal-Slaying Forbidden Array."

"Look within the forbidden array. There are four stars positioned in the four cardinal directions, continuously drawing in the ambient power of heaven and earth."

"Its power falls short of the true Eight-Star Immortal-Slaying Forbidden Array, but it is still extraordinary," Feng Qing'er said, carefully analyzing the formation's details.

In those four corners rested four ethereal stars, each over a Zhang wide. They radiated terrifying energy and Pressure. The imposing might of the forbidden array inspired sheer dread, entirely stripping away any desire to step forward.

"Indeed, as Miss Feng said, this is merely a miniature version of the Eight-Star Immortal-Slaying Forbidden Array, but it is still formidable."

"It seems we will need to resort to some extraordinary methods to enter this primordial ruin."

"Otherwise, entry is impossible."

Chu Chen, however, appeared utterly confident, as if he already had a plan in mind.

"What are you going to do?" Feng Qing'er looked intently at him.

"Stand back. I will break this forbidden array myself. After all, I still hold a Saint King Artifact."

"No matter how strong a forbidden array is, it always has its limits and weaknesses." With those words, Chu Chen prepared to force his way through the mighty array.

Seeing him act so aggressively, Feng Qing'er felt a surge of deep anxiety. She immediately reached out and grabbed his arm.

"Do not rush in so recklessly. This won't work."

"You cannot afford to get hurt." Feng Qing'er gripped him tightly, refusing to let go.

Noticing the raw anxiety etched across her face, Chu Chen offered a faint smile and gently patted her shoulder.

"Rest assured, I know my limits. Let go." He gave her a steady, reassuring look.

Reluctantly, Feng Qing'er released her grip. Chu Chen's gaze shifted back to the cave, burning like cold fire.

The forbidden array guarding the entrance was formidable, but it was far from indestructible.

As long as he seized the right moment, breaking it was entirely possible.

Chu Chen's figure flickered, transforming into a streak of flowing light that shot directly toward the forbidden array.

The four massive stars flared with blinding brilliance, driving the entire array to spin with a deafening hum.

Waves of the forbidden array's power blasted toward Chu Chen like a raging tempest.

Even facing such ferocity, Chu Chen remained absolute in his calm.

Watching those devastating streams of light crash toward him, Feng Qing'er instinctively tensed, crying out for him to be careful.

The four stars emitted streams of deep blue light. As they rotated, the resonant buzzing of the forbidden array deepened.

Boom!

Torrents of the forbidden array's power poured out like a catastrophic flood.

Chu Chen gripped the Blood Dragon Spear. Thrusting the spear tip forward, a resounding dragon roar shattered the air. The strike manifested as a colossal blood-red dragon, plunging violently into the oncoming tide of array energy.

With a deafening explosion, the torrential light was pierced clean through by the Blood Dragon Spear.

The power of the forbidden array was monstrous, but it was not without its counters.

Chu Chen's tactic was brutal but effective: relentlessly batter the array to drain its stored energy, then swiftly retreat the moment it retaliated, evading every counterattack he could.

Under this calculated assault, the array found it incredibly difficult to actually land a blow on him.

Under the constant barrage and subsequent drain of its power, the counterattacks launched by the forbidden array grew noticeably weaker.

Seizing the perfect opening, Chu Chen drove his spear directly into the core formation eye.

Crash! The forbidden array violently shattered into nothingness.

Witnessing this, Feng Qing'er and Ma Xiuyue stood in absolute shock.

They knew exactly how terrifying the array's power was, yet Chu Chen had dismantled it with seemingly effortless ease.

The sheer disparity in strength left them momentarily speechless.

Chu Chen simply looked on with cold indifference.

"Alright. The forbidden array is broken. Let us move."

"Let's see what lies inside," Chu Chen said casually.

Under their stunned gazes, Chu Chen had already turned and strode into the depths of the cave.

The two women hastily followed him inside.

The moment all three crossed the threshold, a heavy hum vibrated through the stone, and a massive stone gate suddenly slammed shut behind them.

They remembered clearly that there had been no gate there before. What was happening?